I had an amazing adventure and opportunity this past weekend. I was invited onboard the NEW
Nova Star Cruise between Portland Maine and Nova Scotia Canada to showcase and sell my soaps!
We were treated to VIP status, what a treat (I brought along my husband as my assistant)! We boarded quickly with lots of hands to help carry our 4 big boxes and tubs of product and display items and of course, our luggage. We set up tables and my soaps right away on Thursday night so we could grab some evening shoppers as soon as we left Portland.
We were open for soap sales until 11:00 PM.
I brought along my Bar Soaps, Sea Shell & Sea Urchin Soaps and Felted Soaps all set up very quickly on 2 tables right next to a beautiful view out a ship porthole and near their on board Duty Free Shop, The Novatique.
The next morning, soaps were for sale right away and I did a slide show presentation for the passengers. I showed them pictures of my soap studio and my product and explained how soaps is made as well as some of the fun projects my soap has been part of. After that, I had brought along some raffle prizes and we had a flurry of sales as folks really seemed to like my presentation! I got a lot of questions and comments and met folks from all over the US and even some from near my home town!
During the quieter hours in the afternoon, my soap table was moved right inside the entrance to the Novatique shop!
Here I am with the shop manager, Kevin. He was warm and friendly and very professional. Making ship announcements often throughout the cruise regarding my Friday morning special presentation, announcing my presence onboard, and to draw customers to the soap table and shop.
While onboard I did have some time to enjoy many of what the Nova Star all it had to offer.
Thursday evening, after the shop closed for the night, my husband and I headed to the Casino to try our luck and to get a cocktail to celebrate his birthday! We went outside and peered into the inky black ocean looking for signs of land. We saw a few dots of light far off in the distance and listened to the roar of the wake coming off the back of the ship.
On Frida at Currents, the onboard fine dining room, I attended a cooking demonstration featuring Chef Jason Lynch of Domaine de Grand Pré Winery’s Le Caveau Restaurant located in Nova Scotia Canada where he chopped, sautéed and whisked us through his recipe of Lobster and Scallop Chowder. We got to sample a generous portion too! Deliciously delicate and I am in love with plans to make this very, very soon in my home kitchen.
Later, a wine tasting in The Key's Lounge also by Chef Jason Lynch. And who doesn't enjoy a 5:00 wine tasting while cruising along sparkly waters in Maine? It attracted a good crowd.
We ate all our meals at The Fathoms Buffet Breakfast, lunch and dinner all had many choices. Whether you choose to eat light or a bit more substantial, it was all available. My dinner of steamed fish and rice with vegetables the first night, to scrambled eggs, bacon and crab cakes in the morning and then lunch of salad made of cucumbers, olives, tomatoes and feta - all delicious! This girl has a sweet tooth and loved the Key Lime Cheesecake desert I had at dinner as well at the Chocolate Walnut cookies from lunch. The seas were a bit rocky, so servers were available to carry our trays to our tables. I guess they have had their sea legs a bit longer!
An amazing sail both ways, a beautiful crossing! Looking out at the sparkly sea we spotted several Mola Mola or Ocean Sunfish. Adults grow up to an average of 1,000 pounds! Something that we were super surprised (and lucky) to spot. We mostly spotted these while near Nova Scotia. Several pods of Porpoise jumping too.
Here are some pretty Nova Scotia pictures:
Oh, and there is a time change!
On the return trip to Portland Maine we spotted this beautiful schooner out for a sunset sail, picture perfect!
Again, a big THANK YOU to Nova Star for the invitation and incredible opportunity to showcase my soaps and my business. I had a wonderful time, the entire ships staff was incredibly accommodating and extremely friendly and I enjoyed the experience! I hope to return again soon. Thank you!
